Highchairs and Church Pews

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

 coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who

does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

I know this truth deep down in my soul. In fact I have so many stories/examples of this in my life, that friends have told me that I should write a book. I have experienced it over and over again. Today I will share just two stories that have brought

this truth to life for me.

In 1997, my son was born.

What a joy!

Truly a gift from Heaven.

TrueLove and I were renting a tiny little cottage

that actually was quite romantic and fun.

That season was a challenging financial

time as many can relate to when starting a family

in one of the most expensive regions in the country.

I was beginning to see God's provisions and realizing the 

faithfulness and timeliness of them.

By the time Jake was getting old enough to sit 

in a high chair I began to look at our 

postage size dining area and dream 

about how an old fashioned wooden high chair

would fit the cozy cabin feel of the space,

not to mention, 

the new models on the market that year

had huge bases that would not function in the room. They were ugly and cumbersome.

I wanted a wooden chair and that was before

Craig's List, Etsy, and all the wonders available 

these days. I didn't know where to even begin looking other

than garage sales and the chances seemed slim. Plus I was busy busy with this delightful, bundle of baby.

I think I mumbled some sort of,

"God, I sure wish that I could find a wooden highchair."

That week, I was playing with Jake in our cozy little 

living room and heard a knock at the door.

A neighbor whom I hadn't met asked

if I might like a wooden highchair.

I was obviously wowed.

She said that she saw

the "Welcome" banner in our driveway a

few months ago. She had kept this highchair thinking

her kids would want it and she had

tired of waiting around for them to take it.

I told her that I'd been praying that 

I'd be able to find one.

That afternoon she delivered it,

she did not want money as it was a favor

to her that I would take it off her hands.

It was EXACTLY, EXACTLY what I had pictured in my head.

I LOOOOOOOVED IT!

You see, this story is very special to me

because it was that day that I realized that

God knew what I needed. 

He was good at providing what I NEEDED. 

Very good!

However, he also knew what I WANTED and 

could provide that too. He loves to surprise us

with the very thing that we WANT sometimes.

Well since that story was longer than I thought,

I'll share this last sweet story.

I've always wanted a church pew.

I know they are out there.

I figured if I wanted one, that everyone did 

and that they'd be much more money than 

I'd allow myself to spend.

I didn't pray about it.

I have all the furniture that I need.

God has a way of giving me furniture and

when people come to my home,

they are often surprised at how few

things I've actually purchased

(and how much we have crammed in here.

In perfect form,

the other day TrueLove was helping

a friend clear out his shop storage.

I got a very unromantic call from TrueLove

asking, "Do you want a church pew?"

I came home that afternoon and there it was.

Seriously.

Didn't even ask this time.

I want to follow up these stories with some encouragement.

These are very challenging economic times and 

I don't want to seem insensitive

to people who may be out there

just asking for food on the

table.

First,

consider yourself hugged.

I believe that God will provide that need

in surprising ways for you,

or whatever your needs may be.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to that 

person praying for a highchair and say,

"If you think THIS is a challenging time,

just wait."

I just hope that you are encouraged to

ask for provision and humbly be

specific.

I know God to enjoy surprising us

and knocking our socks off

and often times

when we are 

not even

asking.